Everything You Need to Know About Michael Mann's 'Heat 2': Plot, Cast & Release Date
One of the greatest crime movies is on its way back to the big screen.
Thirty years after the release of Heat, the film that redefined crime cinema, director Michael Mann is preparing to return to that world.
The project, which has been rumored for a long time, is gradually taking shape – from a plot based on a best-selling novel to a star-studded cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Here is everything we know about the highly anticipated sequel.
What Happens in Michael Mann's Novel 'Heat 2'?
In 2022, Michael Mann and writer Meg Gardiner released the novel Heat 2, which serves as a prequel and sequel to the original movie.
The book begins immediately after professional thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) dies and then unfolds across two timelines.
Most of the story is a sprawling prequel that chronicles the early years and development of Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), McCauley, and his trusted partner Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer).
The story transports readers to Chicago and Latin American crime scenes of the late 1980s. Another section, set in the early 2000s, depicts the aftermath of the events of the first Heat.
The novel doesn't merely continue the story, it expands Mann's world on an epic scale by exploring global criminal networks and adding psychological depth to familiar characters.
What Could 'Heat 2' Movie Be About?
The adaptation will likely retain the book's nonlinear structure, unfolding across three time periods: the late 1980s; the mid-1990s, immediately after the events of the first film; and the early 2000s.
This structure will enable the movie to explore the origins of the rivalry between Hanna and McCauley and the long-term consequences of their conflict. Mann has already pitched the script to studios and described it as a sprawling crime epic.
DiCaprio has called the project an homage to Mann's world, suggesting a reimagining of the material rather than a direct adaptation of the book.
Who Is in the Cast of 'Heat 2'?
Leonardo DiCaprio is the most prominent and officially confirmed name. However, his specific role is still being kept under wraps. Rumor has it that he could play a younger version of one of the key characters.
Bradley Cooper and Adam Driver are also being discussed. A return for Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the movie is unlikely due to their ages, the plot (De Niro's character died), and their physical condition.
While Mann isn't ruling out a possible cameo or the use of digital de-aging technology, he is banking on the live-action performances of a new generation of stars rather than purely digital effects.
When Will 'Heat 2' Be Released?
Exact filming and release dates have not yet been set. Michael Mann hopes to begin production in the summer of 2026, ideally premiering in 2027.
The delays are due to the need to secure a large budget, Leonardo DiCaprio's busy schedule, the difficulty of organizing international filming, and studios' general caution regarding expensive dramas since the pandemic.
